Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1887-09-09
WILL1AMspoRT, Dak., Sept. s, 1887.


like many young men, moved to Penn
sylvania and learned the trade of cabinet
and chair maker. For twenty long years
worked al the bench, until became
round.shouldered and my general health
was poor. Having read glowing accounts
of Dakota and the far west, pulled up
stakes, determined to return to first prin-
ciples and become tiller of the soil. /
arrived at Bismarck in the latter part of
June, 1888. While there heard much of
Emmens county that interested me, and
on my arrival here found everything as
represented, had never before seen as
beautiful a country; but as yet no crops
were raised. The winters were described
as being cold, Dakota was subject to
drought etc. So it was to be an expert
ment. Well, now have had four years
experience, and must say that l am
more in love than ever with Dakota. As
far as injury from drought is concerned,
find that it is more due to imperfect
cultivation than anything else, as the
present year has demonstrated. This
year plowed for wheat about three acres
wheat land was plewed only about four
inches. The deep plewing was not AZ
fected by the dry weather, and I believe
the wheat on it will go thirty bushels to
the acre tho shallow plowing may go
fifteen. I also planted two or three acres
OF the deep plowlng to corn, and better
crop never saw.
In regard to the climate, l believe Da-
keta to be the most healthful in the
world. went to Bismarck a year ago
to buy me coat and vest. I called for
the sizes used to wear in Pennsylvania,
and they were entirely too small. used
to measure thirty eight inches around the
chest now I measure forty.one inches
MY lungs have expanded, and now I can
draw long breath and shout as loud as
any OF the boys. l am ten pounds heav-
ier, too, than I was in Pennsylvania
When first came to this territory hesi-
tated about advising any one to come to
say to all who are telling from enc year 8
end to another, and laying nothing up
for old age and possible sickness or mis-
fortune, and who are spending more
money for fertilizers than they would
have to pay for land in Dakota If they
had to buy i'll say to them, Come to
Dakota. We need no fertilizers here,
and will not for years. For tho soil to q
great depth is rich in all the vegetable
and mineral salts, and the deeper you
plcw the better it is in all respects. In
| coming to Emmons County remember
you are not coming into wilderness. 1t
is settling up rapidly with an enterprislng
class, nearly all English.speaking, bring
ing with them that intelligence and re.
| finemsnt that characterize the people of
the eastern and western states. Our
school system and school.houses are OF
1ethe very best. I can stand at my doc,
and count five very neat and substantial
school-houses. can also count within
a few miles Of my place eighteen farm.
! houses. I can see in the same space large
fields where wheat and other grain has
| grown this year, but now covered with
villages of stacks. All these evidences OF
thrift and improvement seem like a
dream. -Four years ago everything about
here was nearly in state Of nature. All
was silent except for the howl of the
coyote and the short, sharp bark Of the
fox. Now, instead, you hear the lewinl
of cattle, the barking Of dogs, the rattle